by Chad Roberts, USA TODAY Sports

by Chad Roberts, USA TODAY Sports

PITTSFORD, N.Y. Phil Mickelson is one of the most popular professional athletes in the world today.

That fact was reinforced Tuesday at Oak Hill Country Club when hundreds of people crowded around the five-time major winner while he signed autographs following a practice round in preparation for the 2013 PGA Championship, which begins play Thursday morning in Pittsford.

Even media members, hardened as they are to dealing with sometimes nasty-athletes, were amazed by Mickelson's performance with the fans at Oak Hill, with one reporter noting that he must have signed for 90 minutes.

"It was not an hour and a half, for sure, but I don't sign during the round," Mickelson responded. "I don't sign before the round. So I have to set aside time after the round and that is kind of what I feel is the fair compromise for me to be able to get my work done, but also to show my appreciation for the fans who come out here and buy tickets and allow us to play golf for a living."

Mickelson says it makes him happy to see some younger players take time to interact with fans.

"I think we have a good, young crop of players that are doing the same thing," he said. "I've just always been appreciative for the fact that I get to play golf for a living. I just love what I do and when you see the community support for an event like this here in Rochester and all the people out here, you want to do something to make sure that they know that they are appreciated."

Much of the pre-tournament focus this week has been on Mickelson, who won his first British Open in July, and Tiger Woods, who blew out the competition to win the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational again on Sunday. The two are ranked Nos. 1-2 in the world, with Woods on top.

"I think that having Tiger win last week is great, because I can't remember the last time somebody won the week before a major and then went on and won," Mickelson said with a large grin, knowing that he had just won the Scottish Open and British Open back-to-back in July. "Having him back, having him play well, having him win like he's won this year is great for the game of golf. And the work that he's been doing with Sean Foley is noticeable and has been paying off. He is playing solid and he played great last week."

But, Mickelson said, this week is not just about himself and Woods.

"I think it is also great for the game to see guys like Adam Scott and Justin Rose to come out and win major championships early on; guys that have incredible games and winning, and now have won golf's biggest events," Mickelson said. "That just makes it exciting, because we have a number of players that can really create a lot of interest in this final major championship."

Mickelson, 43, was asked about playing a mentor role to some of those up-and-coming players that he talked about.

"I feel an obligation to help young players the way players ahead of me helped me and gave me the opportunity to play the PGA Tour and gave me knowledge on how to handle certain situations, but a lot of it is selfish, too, because I get a lot out of playing with these young guys," Mickelson said.

"I see how good they are and it motivates me. It gives me youthful energy and makes me appreciate something I have been doing for two decades now, but I see it through younger people's eyes, and it makes me continue to appreciate what I have."

Mickelson tees off Thursday in a group with the year's other major winners, Scott and Rose, on the first hole at 1:45 p.m.